What does a grand jury do?

The function of a grand jury is specifically to determine whether there is enough evidence to formally accuse someone of a crime, commonly referred to as issuing an indictment. This process involves reviewing evidence presented by the prosecution to establish probable cause. Unlike a trial jury, which decides the verdict of a case based on the guilt or innocence of a defendant after hearing both sides, a grand jury does not make final determinations of guilt or innocence. It operates in a preliminary phase, where its primary role is to assess whether the evidence warrants proceeding with legal charges against a potential defendant. This process ensures that individuals are not subjected to criminal trials without sufficient evidence supporting the charges against them.